Site Selection magazine ranks county 23rd for new, expanded facilities

St. Joseph County has earned a top ranking in Site Selection magazine’s recent issue for the number of new facilities and facility expansion projects.Defined as the “Sturgis micropolitan,” the county ranks No. 23 for projects in 2012. The area did not make the Top 100 in the previous two yearss.

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By From staff reports

Sturgis Journal - Sturgis, MI

By From staff reports

Posted Mar. 23, 2013 at 8:00 AM

By From staff reports

Posted Mar. 23, 2013 at 8:00 AM

St. Joseph County has earned a top ranking in Site Selection magazine’s recent issue for the number of new facilities and facility expansion projects.

Defined as the “Sturgis micropolitan,” the county ranks No. 23 for projects in 2012. The area did not make the Top 100 in the previous two yearss.

Site Selection reports six projects in St. Joseph County in 2012 that helped the area earn the ranking. The Coldwater area showed two projects reported.

“The Sturgis micropolitan was not even on the list in 2010 and 2011, so its ranking in 2012 is quite an accomplishment and represents work resulting from Southwest Michigan First’s contract with the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation,” said Southwest Michigan First Vice President Heather Baker.

A micropolitan is an urban area based around the urban cluster with a population of 10,000 to 49,999. The Sturgis micropolitan is St. Joseph County with Sturgis serving as the “urban” center. There are 576 micropolitans in the U.S.

“Our businesses in St. Joseph County are working hard to grow and maintain their competitiveness. It’s nice to see these efforts recognized in Site Selection magazine,” said John Wiedlea, president of the Sturgis Economic Development Corporation. “The city of Sturgis, working in partnership with the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation, Southwest Michigan First and our business leaders, will continue to ensure that we are a first-class place to conduct business.”

The six projects include American Axle and Manufacturing in Three Rivers, which is currently in the process of executing the largest 2012 facility expansion in the county.

Joe Bippus, Three Rivers city manager, said the area’s quality workforce is key.

“I think it’s good for Michigan and it’s good for our county to see manufacturing jobs expanding,” he said.